Multimodal Pain Management Opioid Reduction Case Study

This case study details the initiatives undertaken by Intermountain Health to address opioid use and dependency in surgical patients through a multimodal pain management approach. It outlines the implementation of opioid stewardship programs aimed at reducing opioid prescriptions and increasing caregiver awareness. The study presents various strategies, including the development of educational materials, the integration of electronic health record alerts, and the establishment of hospital pain teams. It also highlights significant outcomes achieved from 2018 to 2022, such as a 22.7% reduction in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed and a decrease in new chronic opioid patients after surgery. The case study emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and continuous education in achieving successful outcomes. Additionally, it discusses the lessons learned from the initiative, including the need for alignment on practice changes and the role of data in tracking progress and driving improvements in pain management practices.